Reflections 19th June

Photo by Maria Victoria Portelles on Unsplash

On my Mind

Growing Communities

I think labels can have an almost magical power sometimes. We can reduce something complex to a buzzword and maybe a logo. Repeat it often enough, removing the need for thought, reflection and criticism. It creates a temporary and convenient "truth" around which to rally people. Edward Bernays (Freud's nephew) used it to great effect with the "torches of freedom" campaign promoting smoking to women in 1929. When it came to propaganda, Bernays - literally - wrote the book.

"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organised habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country."

Edward Bernays

The techniques he described remain powerful as a way to steamroller discussion on essential subjects, replace them with policy and training protocols, and cr…